Throughout a long period of useful years Mr.
Hotchkiss was intimately identified with the agricultural development of
Sonoma county, and when death terminated his energetic endeavors a large
circle of acquaintances testified to his worth as a citizen, his
sterling integrity as a man and his skill in husbandry. Born in the
Green river valley of Kentucky in 1833, he inherited the chivalrous
spirit and polished manner characteristic of a long line of southern
ancestry. It was his good fortune to enjoy the educational and social
advantages offered by the blue grass state during the prosperous era
that preceded the Civil war and as he was a member of a family
possessing considerable means, he enjoyed opportunities equal to those
extended to other young men similarly situated. Possessing a faculty of
intense application and considerable will power, he early determined to
rise to success in agriculture, his chosen vocation, and with the belief
that the west offered more desirable advantages than those of his own
state, he migrated to California prior to the war and in 1860 located in
Woodland, Yolo county, where for four years he kept one of the first
hotels of the town. In 1865 he became a citizen of Sonoma county, where
the remainder of his life was devoted to the building up of an improved
estate. Sagacious judgment was one of his principal traits and he soon
became numbered among the county’s leading farmers, giving his
attention with such exactness to private affairs that he never
identified himself with politics in any way aside from voting the
Democratic ticket in all elections.

Not a little of the success attained by Mr.
Hotchkiss was due to the capable assistance of his wife, who was his
wise counselor and willing helper, and who still survives to enjoy the
esteem of old friends and the fruits of early labors on the farm. Prior
to her marriage in 1857 she was Miss Virginia Edrington, being a
daughter of Barrett and Jane (Kerr) Edrington, natives of Kentucky. Two
children, William J. and Mary Jane, were born of this marriage.

William Joseph, more familiarly known as W. J.,
was the only son born to Mr. and Mrs. Hotchkiss. He received fair
advantages, graduating from the Santa Rosa grammar school and becoming a
trustworthy and capable business man. Some years ago he was honored by
election to the state legislature and represented his district at
Sacramento with fidelity and appreciated distinction. By his marriage
with Miss Emma Grove he has five children, namely: Miller, Homer,
Marius, Linvil and Hazel. The last-mentioned is a graduate of the
University of California and the champion tennis player of the world.
The old homestead, purchased by the elder Mr. Hotchkiss some time after
his arrival in Sonoma county, comprises three hundred acres lying near
Healdsburg. A portion of the land is in hay and pasture, supplying feed
for the live-stock kept on the place. By far the greater part of the
land is under cultivation to fruit of variety that bears in abundance.
Prune and apples are among the specialties and each is an
income-producer of no small proportions. The improvements inaugurated by
the former owner have been maintained by the widow and son and no pains
are spared in keeping the large orchards in thrifty condition. In the
year 1911 they set out three thousand new prune and apple trees. Since
early girlhood Mrs. Hotchkiss has been identified with the Christian
Church, which was also the religious preference of her husband, the two
being generous contributors to that organization in its missionary
movements, while at the same time they were sympathetic co-operators in
all enterprises for the well-being of their community.

Source:History of Sonoma County, California
Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who
Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
History By: Tom Gregory
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California (1911)